If you have searched for did Mariska Hargitay adopt a child, the answer is yes. The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star and her husband, actor Peter Hermann, are parents to three children, and two of them joined their family through adoption. Their daughter, Amaya, was adopted in 2011, followed by their son, Andrew, later that same year. Their oldest child, August, was born to Hargitay and Hermann in 2006.
Did Mariska Hargitay Adopt a Child?
Yes. Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann adopted two children, Amaya and Andrew, in 2011.
The couple’s family began with their biological son, August, who was born in June 2006. Several years later, Hargitay and Hermann decided to expand their family through adoption. Their first adoption brought daughter Amaya Josephine into their lives in April 2011. Six months later, they adopted their son Andrew Nicolas.
The adoptions were publicly reported at the time, and Hargitay spoke about how meaningful the experiences were for her and her husband.
Who Are Mariska Hargitay’s Children?
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann have three children:
- August — their biological son, born in 2006
- Amaya — their adopted daughter, welcomed in 2011
- Andrew — their adopted son, welcomed in 2011
The family has generally kept their private life away from excessive media attention, although Hargitay and Hermann occasionally bring their children to significant public events.
That privacy has not prevented fans from seeing how close the family remains. Most recently, the family made a major public appearance together at the 2026 Emmy Awards, where Hargitay hosted the ceremony. People reported that August, Amaya and Andrew all joined their parents on the red carpet.
When Did Mariska Hargitay Adopt Amaya?
Hargitay and Hermann adopted Amaya Josephine in April 2011.
Amaya was born in the United States, and Hargitay and Hermann had previously considered both domestic and international adoption. At the time, Hargitay described herself as extremely happy about welcoming the newborn into the family.
The adoption also made their family a multiracial family, something Hargitay and Hermann openly discussed when announcing Amaya’s arrival.
Their biological son, August, was also excited about becoming a big brother. The family reportedly became involved in choosing Amaya’s name, reinforcing how quickly the new baby became part of the household.
Did Mariska Hargitay Adopt Andrew Too?
Yes. Hargitay and Hermann adopted Andrew Nicolas only about six months after welcoming Amaya.
The couple announced the second adoption in October 2011. Andrew had been born prematurely and was in need of a permanent family. According to reports from the time, Hargitay and Hermann moved quickly after learning about him and completed the adoption process soon afterward.
The unusually short period between the two adoptions was one of the details that attracted considerable attention. Hargitay explained that the opportunity to welcome Andrew felt immediately right to both her and Hermann.
As a result, the couple went from having one child to becoming parents of three within roughly five years, with two new children joining the family in the same calendar year.
Why Did Mariska Hargitay Choose Adoption?
Hargitay has spoken publicly about wanting to expand her family and the emotional significance adoption had for her.
Before successfully adopting Amaya, Hargitay and Hermann experienced an especially difficult moment during an earlier adoption attempt. They had brought a newborn home, but the baby’s birth mother ultimately decided to change her mind. The couple had to return the child, an experience Hargitay later described as deeply painful.
That experience did not end their desire to adopt. Instead, they continued pursuing adoption and eventually welcomed Amaya.
Later that year, they received another unexpected opportunity when they learned about Andrew. They decided to move forward, completing a family that Hargitay has described as deeply meaningful.
Was August Adopted?
No. August is Hargitay and Hermann’s biological child.
Hargitay gave birth to August in June 2006, nearly two years after she and Hermann married. The couple later expanded their family through adoption, making August the older brother of Amaya and Andrew.
This means Hargitay’s three children came into the family through both biological parenthood and adoption.
How Old Are Mariska Hargitay’s Children Now?
As of the latest public family appearance in September 2026, August is about 20, Amaya is 15, and Andrew is in his mid-teens.
People reported that all three children attended the 2026 Emmy Awards with Hargitay and Hermann. The family appearance provided one of the clearest recent public glimpses of the actress’s children.
Hargitay and Amaya also attracted attention for wearing coordinated red outfits on the Emmy red carpet, while Hermann and the boys wore coordinated formal looks.
Mariska Hargitay’s Family Life Today
Although Hargitay is one of television’s most recognizable stars, she has generally maintained a relatively private family life.
Her marriage to Peter Hermann has lasted more than two decades. The pair met when Hermann appeared on Law & Order: SVU in 2002 and married in August 2004. Their three children have grown up largely outside the constant spotlight surrounding their mother’s television career.
However, Hargitay has occasionally spoken warmly about motherhood and the importance of her family. Her children were also among the people she thanked publicly during the 2026 Emmy season while discussing the personal significance of her documentary My Mom Jayne.
What Is the Latest Update on Mariska Hargitay’s Adopted Children?
The latest major public update came with the 2026 Emmy Awards, where Hargitay appeared with her husband and all three children.
The family attended the ceremony on September 14, 2026, while Hargitay made history as the first woman to host the Emmy Awards since Jane Lynch in 2011. The appearance confirmed that Amaya and Andrew remain an important part of the family alongside their older brother August.
There has been no credible recent report indicating that Hargitay has adopted another child beyond Amaya and Andrew. Current coverage continues to identify the couple as parents of three.
The Bottom Line
So, did Mariska Hargitay adopt a child? Yes — she and Peter Hermann adopted two children, daughter Amaya and son Andrew, in 2011. Their oldest son, August, is their biological child. The three children make up the family Hargitay and Hermann have continued to raise together for more than a decade.
The latest public appearance of the family at the 2026 Emmys shows that Hargitay’s children continue to be an important part of her life, even as she maintains a careful boundary around their privacy.
What do you think about Mariska Hargitay’s adoption story? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for the latest updates about her family and career.